Farmers, youth foil illegal sand mining attempt at Maganoor’s Peddavagu

Farmers and youth in Narayanpet foiled a private firm's attempt to illegally mine sand from the Peddavagu stream. Citing risks to irrigation and water supply, they warned of continued protests and demanded the firm use TSMDC-approved sand reaches

Narayanpet: Local farmers and youth continued their resistance against illegal sand mining at the Peddavagu stream in Maganoor on Monday, thwarting another attempt by a private firm to extract and transport sand from the water body.

The protest comes days after a similar attempt last Friday, when villagers objected to the firm’s activities citing threats to irrigation and drinking water supply in the region. As part of the Narayanpet–Kodangal Lift Irrigation Project, a canal pipeline manufacturing unit was established at Kachuwar village in Makthal mandal. However, the private company reportedly attempted to move sand using tipper trucks from the Peddavagu stream to another location.

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On Monday, the local youth and farmers once again assembled at the bridge on NH-167 to prevent the company staff from transporting the sand. Despite the company’s efforts, the protesters stood their ground and refused to let the operation proceed.

Later, they met Tahsildar Nagalakshmi and urged her to ensure that illegal sand mining was not permitted in the stream. They demanded that the firm be directed to procure sand only from Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC)-approved sand reaches, which would also contribute to State revenue.

The protest forced the firm to halt its sand mining activity for the day. The villagers, however, maintained that they would continue their agitation until all illegal sand mining in the stream is permanently stopped.